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I am building my Z using pretty much the same.

Hi Tim, I am afraid I did not take any "before" pics but here is the result of using the paint on the airbox parts and the speedo case. It really does leave a nice full, even black that really does go the distance; my son has used it on the foot board of his first ped and it was still looking perfect when we sold it a year later. I just cleaned the parts carefully using gun cleaning thinners and that is pretty much it. When I sprayed the parts I used a mask as this paint stinks and you get the distinct impression that there are not very nice things in it.

I eventually have found some replacement float valves from Allens performance somewhere up north. I gave them a ring and it turns out they specialise in all things Mikuni and stock loads of bits for the 13. I found some really cheap ones from an American website retailing for 7 dollars a piece, but I have it on good authority that they are cheap, nasty affairs and not worth fitting. Allen engineering's float valves are £21 quid each and include the O-ring. I am biting the bullet and changing all three as I don't want to have the carbs back out again if I can help it. I have just finished the cam cover which I think looks ok- I still have some nooks and crannies to do on it but it will do for the mo. The three tight valves have come back into tollerance ( well two of them have at present) with a simple shim replacement using the special valve tool from M and P to hold the valve in the open position so that the shim can be lifted out. I am still trying to find the third shim which is in short supply.

if you a member of the Z1000 owners club you can swap shims on the club forum.

Thanks for that, I might well do.

That paint looks pretty nice.

I recently used some Rustoleum Roll Bar and Chassis paint in satin to paint the bars, top triple and MC's on this FJ1200 and they came out pretty sweet:



Is the paint you used an epoxy base? Seems like they are the new thing in toughness / durability out of a rattle can.